The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-11-02
BOTH MISTAKEN.

think Agnes said something about ex-
pecting your
"ThaEk you, sir" Jack Hardy said,
throwing down his pen with alacrity.
II promised to bring Agnes some books.
I'll be IT ady in a moment"
every Good" And Mr. Dalton took
upa handful of letters, glanced mt them
carelessly, threw some to Michael Anger,
the chief clerk, and put the others, un-
opened, into his pockets, while Jack ran
his fingers through his crisp curls, and
turned down his cuffs, as the only pos
sible improvement to his toilet.
Mr.. Dalton was tall, portly, genial
gentleman, with rosy face, CHEEKY
voice and kindly smile. He was the
principal lawyer in Westwood, a flour
ishing country town; he was an estate
agent, too, and was altogether highly
prosperous and respected gentleman.
There was traditional Mr.. Driver. the
head of the firm, but as no one ever saw
him no one thought much about him,
except, perhaps, Michael Anger, who
knew that he was very unpleasant
reality.
Mr.. Dalton was q widower, with one
daughter, Agnes, who kept his house,
and Jack Hardy was distant cousin,
Whom the lawyerhad brought up from
childhood, and placed in his Office, with
every prospect of succeeding to the old
established and lucrative business. Jack
was shy, and somewhat awkward. He
was plain-looking, too, save for his frank,
honest blue eyes, and crisp brown hair (;
but he was clever and ambitious. patient
and pains-taking in the office, and en-
tirely devoted to his master. Everyone
liked Jack Hardy; even dumb animals
understood how good and gentle he was !.
and all the other clerks in the Office i'm
posed on him in way that proved how
much faith they had in his patience and
generosity. No one envied him for
being such a favorite with his master,
for his interest was exerted on behalf of
others rather than himself. Nor did the
clerks resent his being so much as Rose
dene; in all probability he would be one
day master there. Only Michael Anger
thought seriously about the matter; and
he often wondered how it would all end
for poor Jack, who was quite capable of
falling desperately in love with Agnes
Dalton, though in no way calculated to
WIN uST lONc III IctuiD.
'rMy hope is Miss Agnes, the old clerk
said, as he watched his master and Jack
drive away that sunny afternoon. "She's
too good and wise to encourage the lad
in folly, or allow him to delude himself; :;
but | wish the master would open his
eyes, and see that they're not children
any longern He had been cutting open
the letters before him, and glancing at
their contents mechanically Suddenly
lie started, and look of trouble came
into his eyes, which increased as he re-
read the letter, and then put it in his
pocket. "Past post time" he said,
glancing at the clock; nothing to be
done to-day and Mr.. Dalton must see to
the matter himself on Monday. It's gone
beyond my management"
Meantime Mr.. Dalton and Jack were
driving along the beautiful shady road
leading to Rosedene. ats good to get
home, the lawyer said, with deep sigh
of satisfaction, as he drove up the we'll
rolled drive. There are not many pref
tier spots than Rosedene."
Jack thought there was no place to be
compared to it, especially when Agnes
stood on the steps smiling a welcome
She was not in sight that afternoon, but
Jack knew where TO look for her.
Taking the books, he crossed the
lawn with. light, firm step, smil-
ing u1consciously in very gladness
Of l&rt, because the world was
so beautiful and every one so kind. 'I'lI
find her either in the summer house or
the wo-d d, he slid aloud; bat the sum-
mer- house was deserted. ''All the bet er;
we shall have the longer walk back, Z" he
unused, as he eros ed a meadow, and
entered small, thickly planted eopse,
generally spoken of as ''the Wood =" 1t
was Agnes Dalton's favorite retreat when
she wanted to read and think; no one
ever accompanied her there except Jo.
her favorite dog, or followed her except
Cousin Jack, who was privileged to go
where he liked, and do as he liked, at
Rosedene. After few minutes he found
her seated on a mossy bank under the
shelter of the trees, absorbed in a book.
She had thrown off her hat and laid aside
her sunshade; the light fell on her soft,
fair hair, turning it 10 gold, and irradi-
ated her calm, sweet face; her white
dress CLEANED amid the cool, tall ferns,
and there was a most impressive air of
rest and stiffness all round, with a subtle
pdor of flowers and drowsy hum of in
sect life. Jack gazed for few minutes
through an opening in the tall trees, and
his heart seemed to stand still Agnes
looked so calm, so beautiful, so like an
angel, with the sunshine making a golden
glory about her, that he was frightened
at his own presumption in loving her;
and yet, how could he help it2 She was
so kind and gracious, and tender and
pitiful. All mans life might he well
spent in loving her, all his nature en-
nobked, even if he was never fortunate
enough to win anything in return.
With a very unusual humility, Jack
drew near. 10 blinked his great brown
eyes, and wagged lis tail lazily, but
Agnes never looked up; and in that one
minute Jack somehow felt that she was
farther from him, more out Of his reach,
more sacred than she had G, er seemed
before. AT last he made slight noise
by treading down a bramble, aud Agnes
looked up with smile of welcome.
'Home so soon, Jackg" she said, with